A local’s guide to visiting the historical Passage des Panoramas near the Grands Boulevards; a beautiful shopping arcade in the heart of Paris!
I’m absolutely obsessed with the covered passages in Paris.
I think I’ve visited almost all of them – at least the ones that are still open to the public, like Passage Jouffroy, Passage du Grand Cerf, and Passage Verdeau.
Today, I wanted to tell you about one of my personal favorites.
It’s right near the Grands Boulevards, one of the coolest neighborhoods of Paris, and the Passage Jouffroy I just mentioned: the stunning Passage des Panoramas.
Whether you’re looking to do some shopping or just want to wander through a grand, historic spot, I’d highly recommend it to anyone!
Visiting Passage des Panoramas, Historical Arcade in Paris
Built in 1799, it’s the second oldest covered passage in the city, topped only by the Passage du Caire.
Much like the Galerie Vivienne which came a few years later, it really captures the early days of the “shopping mall” concept.
It’s also one of the best-preserved spots in Paris.
Personally, when I walk through it, I feel like I’m stepping back into the world of literary Paris or the Belle Époque; it makes me think of Art Nouveau, vintage ceramics, and novels like Zola’s The Ladies’ Paradise.
So, why is it called the “Passage des Panoramas”?
Well, it gets its name from the main attraction back in the day: two giant rotundas at the entrance where people could see 360-degree panoramic paintings of cities like Rome or Naples.
We have VR headsets today, but back then, visitors had these massive paintings.
Unfortunately, they disappeared when the rotundas were torn down in 1831.
The name stuck, though!
In 1817, the passage actually became the first place in Paris – and one of the first in the world – to be lit by gas lamps. This made it much safer and allowed it to stay open later.
The Passage des Panoramas is like a hidden Easter egg: one of its coolest features is that it feels like a bit of a labyrinth.
It actually opens up into several smaller galleries, each with its own distinct personality: Galerie Feydeau, Galerie Montmartre, Galerie des Variétés and Galerie Saint-Marc.
Even though they aren’t as famous as places like Galerie Colbert or Galerie Vivienne, both in the 2nd arrondissement, they really add to that quirky, old-world vibe that makes the Passage des Panoramas so special.
When you’re walking around Paris, you realize you’re often standing on top of protected history; this passage has itself been a protected monument since 1974.
If you love vintage storefronts, you have to see it.
But if you’re more into shopping, there are plenty of specialized boutiques, as well as some great, quintessential Parisian cafes and restaurants, like Victoria Station.
Passage des Panoramas Paris Photo Gallery
Visiting Passage des Panoramas, Historical Arcade in Paris
Once you’ve finished exploring the beautiful Passage des Panoramas, you’ll see so many stunning buildings all around you – the neighborhood really has a lot to offer.
If you head back out onto Boulevard Montmartre and cross the street, it’ll take you straight into Passage Jouffroy, and if you walk all the way through that one, you’ll end up in Passage Verdeau.
If you’re getting hungry, there are plenty of cute spots to grab a bite.
La Crème de Paris is one of my favorites for those thick, classic Parisian crêpes (the apple, caramel, and whipped cream one is my absolute go-to!).
If you’re in the mood for a change of scenery and want to see a different side of Paris, why not check out one of the city’s “secret villages” like Cité Florale, or a colorful street like Rue Crémieux?
But if you want to keep diving into Parisian history, I’d also highly recommend these gorgeous spots:
- Art Nouveau in Paris: 17 Beautiful Places, Shops and Cafes
- Stohrer, The Oldest Patisserie in Paris and Protected Monument
- Lavirotte Building, Paris: Art Nouveau near the Eiffel Tower
- Paris’s Stravinsky Fountain: Secret Street Art & Sculptures
Passage des Panoramas Paris
Address: 11 Bd Montmartre, 75002 Paris
Website: Paris Je T’aime